Cracker of a dhamaka deal

FIREWORKS, DIYAS, sparkles, rockets and insane little things that whizz, pop and blast. Not just this anymore. The festival of lights is now a festival of delights. Ride the festive wave this season and reap a bagful of goodies. Pataka offers, gifts galore and unlimited freebies. A whole lot of attractive incentives are being dangled before the Deepavali shoppers. The name of the game is to lure - sure. Afterall, business is all about persuading crowds.

Fireworks lend colour, sparkle and gaiety to the occasion. And gifts only multiply the joy. At the spiritual level, Deepavali may signify the victory of good over evil but at the material level it means different things to different people. This is the time of the season when the pockets are bulging with bonus and the desire to splurge is strong. And the traders are out with attractive offers to encash the growing yearning.

From household appliances to clothes, footware, wrist watches, automobiles, gold and jewellery - the range is quite wide and the discounts mindboggling. Almost every shop is offering a rebate of 20 per cent to 60 per cent on cash purchases and also special gifts on certain items. The most attractive offer is perhaps from the Hyderabad Shopping Festival sponsored by the A.P. Tourism - one-kg gold, a car and Rs. 10,000 worth prizes every day.

If you think you have heard it all, hold your breath. There is `Shop for a surprise' contest at the Lifestyle till October 26. For every billing of Rs. 1,000 and above the customer gets a coupon which promises exciting prizes. In the first draw on Sunday, 20 winners each from Hyderabad and Chennai will receive gifts from Carbon jewellery. In the final draw on October 27, one couple from each of these cities will win a free trip to Bangkok, including a cruise on `Star Aquarius.'

Not to be left behind, Philips India Ltd is offering a rich bonanza - four cars, six bikes and 100 CDRCRs. The offer is valid from October 1 to November 15. All that the customer is required to do at the time of purchase is to answer three simple questions and write a slogan. Besides, there is one sure gift on other music systems.

And if you want to let the hair down right away, Country Club is the place. It is organising the annual `Deepavali Mela' on Sunday. The main attraction is a spectacular fireworks display that promises to leave one spellbound. To add to the fun a host of games, rides and mouth-watering cuisine are lined up.

To catch one by the e-tail, the software companies have also come up with attractive offers. The city's premier bakery, Karachi Bakery, is not far behind. It promises crisp biscuits for the corporates. Go seize the dhamaka deal.

By J.S. Ifthekhar

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Section  : Southern States
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